A Note from the Executive Director |
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Coincidentally, in the scary month of Halloween, the SBHC field is plagued by the uncertainty, and even instability, that comes with change. While our field has had much to celebrate of late, with state and federal investments in SBHC expansion, some of those celebrations are tempered by the challenges of transition. NMASBHC understands that the delays at NMDOH with contracting and invoice payments, as well as the fears surrounding a looming federal shutdown (averted for 45 days as of the writing of this newsletter) cause real pain in the field.
We want our partners to know we're doing everything in our power to provide advocacy and support. NMASBHC urges you to keep us posted about what your needs are and stay engaged with our work. Activities like our directory update, SBHC calendar, and the Head to Toe SBHC preconference) are critical to keeping policymakers abreast of your great work with children and families and to building community within our field. Please read on to find out how to participate in those efforts.
Wishing you a healthy autumn and Happy Halloween!
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Thank you for all the SBHCs who participated and submitted pictures!
Start taking your team photos for the 2024 Calendar now. Submission deadline is October 27th!
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NMASBHC Youth Advisory Group |
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The Youth Health Advisory Group supports youth to advance health care access for their peers, share expertise on health-related topics and give important youth voice to the field of school-based health care. Participants will engage in activities and projects that can provide critical input to the development and delivery of services, and advocate for SBHC services across the state.
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It is that time of year!
This update helps us to maintain the map of SBHCs in New Mexico. The survey helps to inform advocacy efforts for SBHCs throughout the state.
Please complete as soon as possible. Deadline was Friday, September 29th. Thank you!
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We are excited to have Claudia join the NMASBHC team as our Operations Manager. Please help us welcome her to the field of school-based health!
I’m Claudia Hafez and I’m thrilled to be joining the NMASBHC team. Growing up in the New Mexico school system I was able to participate in my local SBHC and personally know how important it is for students to have access to these resources. I’ll be using my experience with project and event management to help support the work that you do every day. When I’m not working, I’m hanging out with my husband and two dogs, reading, or attempting to make something out of my arts and crafts pile.
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We are excited for the Annual 2024 Calendar, which features NM SBHC Teams.
Submit photo entries on the NMASBHC Website or to wilma@nmasbhc.org no later than 5:00 pm on October 27, 2023
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SBHC Interest Survey for NM Schools |
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Opportunity for Superintendents and Principals:
We need your communication regarding your school's interest and readiness for school-based health center services. To help NMASBHC and funding partners such as the county, state, and federal government determine where the interest and need lies, NMASBHC has created a brief survey of superintendents and principals to quantify and locate those factors.
If you are a principal or superintendent, please go to the short survey linked below to complete the survey. If you work in a school, please forward the survey to your designated administrator and encourage them to complete this survey.
Please feel free to reach out to NMASBHC with any questions or needs for support.
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NMPED Back to School Guidance |
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As staff and students return to school, NM Public Education Department has compiled some resources for Back to School Guidance.
It can be located at:
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The Operational Plan due date will be extended to December 15th. It will be available through the Apex Data Hub shortly after the FY24 agreements are finalized. New Partners will need to establish an account with Apex after DOH agreements are finalized.
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The Annual Head to Toe Conference is scheduled for November 14-16, 2023 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
We look forward to seeing SBHC staff for the Pre-Conference session on November 14th. Registration for the full conference is now open. Please check Basecamp for the SBHC Pre-Conference code, which reduces the fee to only $25!
We're planning a full slate of networking and problem-solving activities, awards, presentations, and a raffle, all aimed at building a stronger SBHC community. Make sure you can be there!
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NM-ABC (New Mexico Access to Behavioral Health for Children) is a partnership between the Center for Development & Disability and the Family Health Bureau in the Title V program of Department of Health. The project aims to increase access to behavioral health services by increasing the capacity of the behavioral health provider workforce to identify, diagnose, treat and refer pediatric behavioral health problems.
The project offers a statewide Consultation Line to support primary care, school-based and other clinicians who provide services to children and adolescents with mental health concerns. Please view the flyer for more information.
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NM Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility Determiner Training |
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Due to high demand, additional Presumptive Eligibility Determiner trainings have been scheduled and are available on the following dates:
October 3 - 4
Trainings are 8:30 am - 4:30 PM on the first day and
8:30 am - 2:30 pm on the second day.
If you have staff that need the training, please contact HSD at the email address below to indicate the need to register for training. Contact at HSD.PEDeterminers@state.nm.us or call (505) 476-7151.
Please note that it is very important to have your SBHC team up to date with eligibility determination. This an NMDOH-OSAH requirement. Many families may need support in finding out if their COVID-era coverage is winding down in 2023 as well.
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SBHC Alert: MCO Recertification Process/Visits to Resume |
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Most SBHCs operating in the last several years are due for Medicaid Recertification. This process, which consists of completion of a self-assessment document and a site visit from one of the MCOs (designated by Medicaid) must be completed by December 31, 2023. SBHC Operators should be prepared to hear from an MCO Representative in the coming months to schedule the recertification deadlines and processes.
Please feel free to reach out the Nancy (nancy@nmasbhc.org) if you have any questions or difficulties.
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Please note and communicate to patients and their families that if their Medicaid application is pending, they can still proceed with care. HSD has approved unlimited overtime for employees processing Medicaid applications/renewals as they are aware of the backlog. Until the backlog is cleared and families are assured of future coverage, they also can contact BeWellNM to investigate what coverage and subsidies they qualify for if their Medicaid is not approved.
Additional Resources:
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HSD has launched the Renew NM! Campaign, which is a statewide public awareness campaign that provides resources and information to HSD customers and community partners about the changes to SNAP & Medicaid.
It is a Call to Action to:
- Update contact information
- Watch for their Turquoise envelope
- Submit a renewal
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Applying for SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, and Medicaid
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
There have been recent announcements about a one-time issuance for summer. Visit the HSD website for more information.
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beWellNM Community Partner Toolkit |
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The beWellnm toolkit was created in effort to provide consistent information and to support New Mexican communities and partners to better understand the Medicaid Unwinding.
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Clinic Resources, Training Opportunities and Community Announcements |
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It is important to know about HIPAA and FERPA in school-based health settings.
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Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Albuquerque, NM
Clinician trainers from the LARC Mentoring Program and the Department of Health will conduct a 2-hour practicum on IUD skills. We will use pelvic simulator models to practice inserting and removing different types of IUDs. Our clinicians will also review managing challenges related to IUDs, and will be happy to answer any questions related to LARCs during or after training. Participants will receive 2.0 CME credit hours at no cost.
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Nexplanon Training
Training can be scheduled as requested.
if you are interested in Nexplanon training.
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SBHC Staff are amazing!
Please feel free to share these open positions with your colleagues and peers.
Certified Nurse Practitioner – RFK School Based Health Clinic
Rewarding opportunity for adolescent health advocates. Provide clinical services with an emphasis on comprehensive health evaluations/ treatments and wellness/student leadership promotion. Work in Albuquerque with an integrated behavioral and physical health team. Flexible hours within M-F days. Salary competitive and experience based. For more details, call Carletta Bullock, MD, 505-999-0237.
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October Health Awareness Activities |
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Mental Illness Awareness Week is Oct. 1-7 |
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Prioritize your mental health this October. The first week of the month is Mental Illness Awareness Week. This year's theme is "Together we share. Together we care," which focuses on the power of community support. Oct. 10 is also World Mental Health Day. This global campaign urges us to think of mental health as a human right.
Find more mental health resources here:
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October is Bullying Prevention Month
For October, learn how you can help prevent bullying in your communities. Oct. 2 is World Day of Bullying Prevention. Show your support by wearing blue throughout the month.
Learn more about how to take a stand against bullying:
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National Health Education Week is Oct. 16-20 |
The Society for Public Health Education is leading National Health Education Week during the third week of October. Activities during this week high light public awareness on health issues and promoting a better understanding of health education. Each day of the week will highlight one theme.
Monday - Behind the Scene: Adolescents' mental health
Tuesday - Maternal: What you should know about maternal and child health
Wednesday - Health as a Civil Right
Thursday - Impact of Social Media and Misinformation on Health Communications
Friday - Advancing Health Equity Through Advocacy
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Support NMASBHC this year! |
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